Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros practiced Friday for the first time since his team landed in Regina for Sunday’s Gray Cup.
Collaros rolled his right ankle in the CFL’s West Division final and did not step on the field for Winnipeg’s first two practices this week.
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The 34-year-old center, who won the league’s Most Outstanding Player award for the second time in as many years, said he will play in Sunday’s championship game against the Toronto Argonauts.
Collaros dropped back with weight on his right foot to adjust and threw out of the pocket on Friday and hit the run. He moved without apparent discomfort, but also did not test the limits of his mobility.
Friday’s practice was a CFL-mandated media day for both teams’ quarterbacks, so Collaros did not comment on how his ankle felt after a cold, windy practice on a suburban small football field.
“The guy is a fighter,” Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira said after practice. “He’s tough. He is tough as nails. There is no doubt in my mind that he would not play this game.
“He’s ready to go. He looked good out there today and we are excited to have him on the field with us on Sunday.”
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The Blue Bombers have won two consecutive Gray Cups with Collaros as their starter and will be chasing a treble with him at Mosaic Stadium.
He led Winnipeg to a league-best 15-3 record in his 17 starts and led the CFL in touchdowns (37). Collaros was second in passing yards with a career-best 4,183 and completed 70 percent of his passes.
Winnipeg’s offense was second in average points per game (28.2).
Collaros was the fifth player to win consecutive MOP awards and the first since Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo (2008-09).
“I’ve known him for a long time,” said Bombers receiver Greg Ellingson, who was Collaros’ teammate in 2014 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. “I think he can make almost any play.
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“He believes he can make any play on the field, whether it’s with his legs to extend the pocket, whether it’s setting up, reading the different coverages of the defense and knowing where to get the ball. to sit based on how they play their techniques. or just support his teammates and put the ball in their hands, let them make a play.
“He just wants to go out there and win.”
© 2022 The Canadian Press
